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I'm now a full-time work-outside-the-home mom and while we're still going on TONS of family adventures, making time for the adventures (verses making time for writing about them!) has taken priority in my life right now.

But have no fear! Our new Facebook page is a great resource for all the wonderful family-friendly stuff happening in Prince George's County and the greater Metro DC area. Be sure to check out the Out by Ten archives on the right for lots of great activities!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

They kick-off this Friday, July 29 at 9pm with Despicable Me. The museum doors re-open at 7pm when there will be fun, hands-on activities, sno cones and popcorn. Then, the movie begins promptly at 9pm (when, hopefully, it will be a tad bit cooler!).

The series continues on August 19 with How to Train Your Dragon.

Museum admission is (as usual) $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for kids and free for those under 2.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

It seems like my major focus of these dog days of summer is wearing my boys out! They are both high energy and if I don't keep them active then they'll keep themselves active by (literally!) jumping on the furniture and up the walls!

I can't wait to take them to Get Up & Go at the National Children's Museum Launch Zone. This free event (and no registration required--woohoo!) will feature all kinds of activities to keep your kids moving--from spoon and "egg" (curious to find out why they have that in quotes!) relays to dancing, Simon Says and jumping jack contests throughout the day. Really, is there anything cuter than a group of kids doing jumping jacks?

There will also be plenty of tips on healthy living.

Get Up & Go will take place July 25, 27 and 27, and August 1, 3 and 5 from 11am-4pm and on July 30 and August 6 from 11am-6pm.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Some of my fondest childhood memories include catching fireflies in the evenings. Now that Lucas's summer bed time is a little later, observing and catching fireflies has become an almost-nightly ritual for him, too. Although my little lover-of-creatues-great-and-small was horrified to learn that when I was a little girl, I often pulled off the glowing part to make myself a diamond ring!

I imagine that the scientists behind Operation Firefly would be horrified as well. They are studying an important question: Are fireflies disappearing?

And they need your kids to become citizen scientists to help find the answer!

Head over to the site to learn more then register and start observing. And for my future grandkids' sake...I really hope the answer is NO!

Yeah, and it's probably a good idea, um, not to mention the, er, "diamond" ring idea to your kids. And let's not discuss the idea of "diamond" earrings either!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

AMF Bowling Centers across the country are offering free bowling for kids all summer long! Sounds like a great way to enjoy a too-steamy-to-go-outside or rainy summer day! I signed up and am getting my coupons via e-mail every Sunday!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Lucas and Abel, along with a friend, enjoyed their first back-yard campout last week and loved it. I expect lots more camping (both of the backyard and actual forest variety!) in our future.

I can't wait to take Lucas and Nathaniel to the National Children's Museum Launch Zone's latest hands-on experience for kids: Backyard Campout! They've teamed up with REI to help kids learn all about camping--from checking out camping equipment, crawling into and through tents to exploring deer and bear tracks thanks to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

This FREE event takes place July 11, 13, 15, 18, 20 and 22 from 11am-4pm and on July 16 and 23 from 11am-6pm.

No registration is necessary.

Are you going on your own outdoor adventure? Head over to REI and download a free Kids' Adventure Journal for some sneaky learning!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Longtime readers know that I love, love, love the plethora of free outdoor summer concerts in the DC-area. Last summer (or was it the year before?) I found a free outdoor concert for my readers nearly every. single. night. all. summer. long.

Can I do it again this year? So far, you know about Sunday night concerts and Thursday night concerts. Now I'm excited to tell you about free Wednesday night concerts!

Yes, these are outside of Prince George's County, but not too far, and at such a lovely venue it will be worth the beltway. (Bonus if you already work in MoCo, head over straight from work and completely miss rush hour traffic to get home!)

It's the Strathmore Free Summer Outdoor Concert Series! And it takes place every Wednesday evening through August 24.

Concerts start at 7pm and take place in front of the Gudelsky Concert Gazebo, in front of the mansion (bring your blankets and lawn chairs!). But here's the totally cool part--roving street performers and special (surprise!) guests will be there starting at 5:30pm to entertain you! Here's what the Strathmore folks say, "Jesters Nicolo Whimsey and Michael Rosman will delight visitors with plate spinning, uncicles, juggling and accordion, while Elena Day, Sabrina Mandell and Mark Jaster engage audience with their mimery and interactive merriment. Mischevious shrubbery from Ambush Theater will sneak, snoop and surprise unsuspecting audience members at the free outdoor concerts."

How fun is that? Even better, they'll have very, very yummy-sounding food and drink (regular 'ole American burgers, etc. plus international fare inspired by the performers!) plus soda, water, beer and wine (date night anyone?!) for sale.

So, here's my recommendation: leave early, arrive by 5:30pm and purchase dinner (or pre-pack it yourself!) and beat the traffic (well, try to anyway!) and crowds to enjoy the pre-show and concert. Lovely!

CHOPTEETH AFROFUNK BIG BAND
This 14-piece orchestra based in D.C. combines West African music styles with American pop beats - hear modern jazz, Yoruba tribal music and Afrobeat all in one movement.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011
7 p.m., Gudelsky Concert Gazebo

ARMAND NTEP
A native of Cameroon, Armand Ntep adds African beats and traditional Lihongo dance from his native country to jazz, salsa and hip-hop for an eclectic performance.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011
7 p.m., Gudelsky Concert Gazebo

ANDES MANTA
Four brothers comprise Andes Manta: Fernando, Luis, Bolivar and Jorge Lopez. These natives of Ecuador perform true South American music, drawing on more than 35 instruments and centuries of tradition.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011
7 p.m., Gudelsky Concert Gazebo

OLI BROWN BAND
Nineteen year old guitar phenom Oli Brown, the 2010 British Blues Awards Male Vocalist of the Year and Young Artist of the Year, “brings a freshness and excitement to every performance and is at the forefront of the UK's New Blues movement" (Planet Rock Radio).

Wednesday, August 3, 2011
7 p.m., Gudelsky Concert Gazebo

EDWIN ORTIZ AND ORQUESTA LA ROMANA
After 20 years experience in the D.C. salsa scene, Edwin Ortiz and his Orquesta La Romana know how to get a crowd dancing to an addictive beat. The salsa dura offers hard-charging percussive rhythms and vibrant musical energy.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011
7 p.m., Gudelsky Concert Gazebo

RED BARAAT
Baraat is Hindi for a marriage procession and the joyous dancing and singing that ensues. Hear the infectious North Indian rhythm Bhangra meet the sound of a funky brass band, complete with a dhol, drumset, percussion, sousaphone and horns in a tantalizing mix of fresh originals and Bollywood favorites.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011
7 p.m., Gudelsky Concert Gazebo

UKEFEST 2011: Put Up Your Ukes
Strathmore has a passion for the uke - and has made the UkeFest an annual occasion. Grammy winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer highlight the festival, bringing with them a merry assortment of uke soloists and uke bands including Gerald Ross, Victoria Vox and the Sweater Set, plus The Riders, The Piney Branch Kids Ukulele Ensemble and the Washington Ukulele Orchestra.

Disclosure: The Strathmore provided my family with free tickets to two Backyard Children's Theater performances and sent along info about the free summer concerts. But, I was under no obligation to write about them. I just really love FREE summer concerts!!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Select Regal Cinemas are offering $1 G and PG films on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10am this summer. The best part of these shows (other than only costing $1!) is that the theater is full of kids so you don't have to worry if yours is a little noisy.

The only participating theatre in Prince George's County this summer is Bowie Stadium 14, 15200 Major Landsdowne Blvd., Bowie, MD.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Last Summer, courtesy of Strathmore, we attended the very last Backyard Theater for Children performance of the season. It was wonderful! Our only regret is that we didn't discover this gem of a series until it was over.

That's why I'm thrilled to know that it's back again this year!

And better than ever, in my opinion, as this year the series has an international focus. Throughout July you and your family can travel around the world without leaving the backyard of the Strathmore! Abel and I think it is so important to expose our kids to as much culture as possible and we love to do it like this, in ways that they'll really enjoy.

The venue (a large tent over grass) and low ticket price (only $8! and free for 2 and under) make for a casual morning. I can guarantee your rambunctious toddler, preschooler or elementary-aged child won't be the only one clapping or dancing or cheering (or all of the above!) throughout the show. In fact, for the first performance, Sin Miedo, you're even encouraged to bring your own maracas. But I must say that after listening to their YouTube clip, I'm pretty sure my Latin husband is going to have me up and dancing during this show!

We can't wait to pack up our blanket and head back over to the Strathmore's backyard for a show this year. Maybe we'll see you there!

Here's the full schedule:

Thursday, July 7, 2011

9:30 and 11:30 a.m.
SIN MIEDO
“Sin Miedo is a truly international group that makes the Afro Cuban rhythms of Salsa jump into your blood stream and move your hips around” (Washington Flyer). Music-loving tikes will want to bring maracas and shake to the infectious beat of this D.C.-based salsa band.

Thursday, July 21, 2011
9:30 and 11:30 a.m.
CITYDANCE IN THE WARRIOR PRINCESS OF MANIPUR
Balinese, Manipuri, and Bollywood dance come together in a pan-Indian celebration of life, love and transformation. Noopur Singha and Vishal Kanoi, CityDance’s international dance artists, are joined by young dancers from CityDance Conservatory/Select to re-imagine a Tagore tale of an Indian princess from Manipur.

About Me

Hi! I'm Aimee aka Smiling Mama. I get the Mama title from Lucas (born in 2005) and Nathaniel (born in 2010). Along with my husband, Abel, we live in a creaky old house in a wonderful town in Prince George's County, MD. I work full-time outside the home and am seemingly unable to say no to a volunteer role. I believe in kindness, love lists, and do my best to keep smiling. Thanks for stopping by!